The Document of the East Timor Catholic Church on East Timor Nowadays

Mgr. Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, SDB

1. The Church is not a political
institution

Based on its authority and duty, neither the Church should be allowed to mix up with
political affairs, nor has the bond with any political system, it represents a sign and
protection of human transcendence (Gaudium et Spes, n. 76). Apart from that, the Church
has no party, it only has the Bible to share with all people in all places and it is open
to pluralism, an official option chosen on the basis of human and Christian fellowship.

As mentioned in the Council Doctrine, the priests are councelled not to get involved into
political affairs. Even the Code of Canon Law reminds the priests: "Don't actively
get involved in political parties or any associations, unless required by the official
policy of the Church leadership. This is highly important in order to maintain the rights
of the Church or to promote public interest (Kodes Hukum Kanonik, 1993, kan. 287,
paragraph 2). Whatever position is, the Catholic Church in East Timor is to accept the
situation chosen by the people of East Timor (Surat Gembala, 1975).

2. Moral Responsibility of the Church

Nevertheless, due to an understanding of human being, with less interest to involve in
state politics (Populorum Progressio, Paul VI, n.13), the Church should encompass with the
evolution of time, then attempts to interprete it in the light of the Bible (Gaudium et
Spes, n.4). As the Church is willing to help people achieving their perfect progress,
manifesting public interest to be more humane, the Church has more responsibility to
promote justice, peace, love and freedom through its teaching authority in the form of
cooperation with all people with good intentions obeying the Teacher's instructions to
teach all nations. Therefore the Church has the noble task to disseminate its doctrine on
the community and also submitting moral assessment such as political structure whenever
the rights of the people or the salvation are required and based on public interest in
line with the evolution of time and situation. Implementing its moral and spiritual duty
is the main objective of the Church for the East Timorese people. This is the task
concerning the people as a fundamental way for the Church (Christifideleslaici n.36).
Finding and helping people to discover their dignity is the main role, a central role
which would unify the duty of the Church and human beings (Gaudium et Spes n.76).

3. The Right to choose for Lay People

As the Christians are living in the world as members of the community, they have the right
and duty to determine their choices, also in the field of politics. Having their own
political perceptions and determining various governments models are part of the basic
human rights. The teaching authority of the Church eventually emphasises on active
participation, be responsible for the Christian spirit in social and political life.
"Being disciples in the community environment is an attempt of absorbing the
structure of thinking and the tradition during which one lives with the spirit of
Christianity representing the task and burden for lay people such a manner that had never
been appropriately implemented by other people (Vatican Council II, Apostolican
Actuositatem, n.13).

Pope John Paul II has explicitly said in his suggestions to the lay people concerning the
participation in politics: "to encourage the world structure with the spirit of
Christianity in the sense of serving the people and the community, lay people can not
refuse to participate in politics, as often stated by the General Synod of Priests"
everyone has the right and duty to participate into politics, although they are
characterised by a variety of form which fulfils one another in every level, function and
responsibility" (Christifideleslaici, n.42).

The right to take part into public life is the right which brings benefit to the dignity
of human being, because human beings are not only regarded as object on civilian society,
but also should be considered as basic subject coupled with the objectives of its society.

4. Concerns expressed by the Church

Regarding the current situation in East Timor, the Church expresses its deep concern and
worriness. So far, the Church's view is the hapiness and hope, sadness and worriness of
the people of East Timor represents the happiness and hope, sadness and worriness of the
Christ followers. Paralell with this, these elements are also the main concern of East
Timorese people and the Catholic Church in East Timor.

The above mentioned elements reflect the concern of the Church nowadays. This highlights
the way of life of East Timorese people in which the Timorese people are living under
pressure due to the imposition of institutional force, continued excessive control to be
particularly affected by violations of the right to life perpetrated by the institution of
force against the activities of East Timorese, the establishment of extra judicial
institutions leading to extra judicial killing, extra judicial punishment, torture,
arbitrary arrest and illegal detention especially by extra judicial institution, torture
and missing people.

The Church also expresses its deep concern over the conditions of ethnic identity,
religion and culture which are getting worst on daily basis.

5. Some Suggestions of the Church to solve the question of East Timor

Whatever the choice is, the Catholic Church in East Timor takes the position of accepting
the situation chosen by the people of East Timor (Surat Gembala, 1975). In this situation
the Church's suggestion is to hold REFERENDUM. This option is suggested by the Church as
it is the most democratic choice which would accommodate all people's aspirations and the
hearts and minds of East Timorese people. Nevertheless, if the idea of Referendum is
chosen, it is predicted that enormous problems might emerge in the form of bloodshed among
East Timorese people. Therefore the Church urges the Government of Indonesia , as the
ruling power occupying this territory, to provide great autonomy or considering this
territory as a special one. It is suggested that the greater autonomy and special status
for this territory be granted and be stipulated into effective law. To identify the
concept of greater autonomy or special territory, the Church urges the Government of
Indonesia to hold a series of dialogue with political groups (old parties) which had ever
existed in East Timor. To these political groups, the Church calls to reconciliate. The
Church will open hands, if asked, to be the mediator for these talks. If the idea of these
dialogues is of importance to the Government of Indonesia, the Church will widely open its
hands for this possibility.

In this document, the Church calls the Government of Indonesia to reduce its armed forces
being deployed in East Timor, reduce the number of troops, reduce extra judicial
authority, an institution which threatens the East Timorese people.

The Church also suggests that a conducive atmosphere, freedom of expressing their voice be
granted to the people of East Timor. The Church perceives that the hearts and minds of the
people should be respected and be provided with true information on current events without
hiding the facts dishonesty.

In reality and historically, the East Timorese people are Catholics, it is suggested that
the Church should be given a special place and that the Local Church also be given the
freedom to invite Foreign Missionaries in the name of the Universality of the Church.

More importantly, the Church urges the Government of Indonesia to genuinely cooperate with
the UN Secretary General and the Government of Portugal and resistance groups to allow
effective progress towards a settlement of the question of East Timor by holding a series
of dialogues in order to achieve a peace, justice and internationally acceptable solution.

6. Concluding Remarks

The document of the East Timor Catholic Church on East Timor nowadays, specially the
document to assist in the solution of the East Timor question will be continuously made.
This is not the last document. The Church takes this position encouraged by the awareness
and loyalty for this mission, for the community, for whom the Church was assigned to
inform the Truth, Freedom, Peace, respect for human being in the Spirit of the Bible and
the Church's Social Doctrine.

/* Written 4:03 PM Aug 26, 1994 by gn:cdpm in igc:reg.easttimor */
/* ---------- "Mons. Belo: July open letter" ---------- */
(This is, we believe, an original English version of the last open letter from Bishop
Belo)